Framingham General Cardiovascular Disease Risk Research Articles

Cross-sectional and longitudinal evaluation of heart-to-brachium pulse wave velocity for cardiovascular disease risk.

Heart-brachium pulse wave velocity (hbPWV) is a promising measure of arterial stiffness including the proximal aorta. To characterize age-associated changes and the clinical utilities of hbPWV, we evaluated the impacts of age and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks on hbPWV cross-sectionally (N = 7868) and longitudinally (N = 3710, followed by 9.1 ± 2.0 years). hbPWV were obtained using two validated equations for arterial path length (with and without considering age-related aortic elongations). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was used as a comparative measure. Repeated-measures correlation (rmcorr) and regression analyses were used to characterize associations of PWVs with age and Framingham's general CVD risk score (FRS). In the cross-sectional study, hbPWVs derived by both equations showed stronger correlation with age (r = 0.746 ~ 0.796) and FRS (r = 0.714-0.749) than baPWV (r = 0.554 and r = 0.643). Furthermore, hbPWVs correlated with FRS even after controlling for age (r = 0.260 ~ 0.269, P < 0.0001). In the longitudinal study, hbPWVs demonstrated significantly higher rmcorr coefficient with age than baPWV (rrm=0.439-0.511 vs. 0.307, P < 0.0001). Across the adult lifespan, age-related increases in hbPWVs were almost consistent, starting from young adults, while baPWV displayed accelerated increases with age. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that hbPWVs depicted more robust ability to stratify general CVD risk compared with baPWV (AUC = 0.896-0.913 vs. 0.833, P < 0.0001). The results of the follow-up study were consistent with the findings of the cross-sectional investigation. Our findings suggest that hbPWV undergoes a linear augmentation with age, commencing from an early adult life stage onward, rendering it a potential marker for discerning CVD risk.

Cardiovascular risk burden and disability: findings from the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS).

The association of cardiovascular risk burden with disability is unclear. We examined the association between trajectories of the Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk score (FGCRS) with the trajectories of limitations of physical function in older adults. A total of 1219 participants with no disabilities from the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) study who had up to three repeated measures of FGCRS between 2012-2016 and without a history of stroke or coronary heart disease at baseline and follow-up were included. FGCRS at baseline was assessed and categorized into tertiles. Physical function was evaluated with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. At baseline, FGCRS ranged between 3-94 (mean score: 24 ± 15.8), participants were 32 (2.6%), 502 (41.2%) and 685 (56.2%) in lowest, middle, and highest tertiles, respectively. In the trajectories of limitations of physical function, the lowest FGCRS had no differences, while the middle and highest had a decrease in physical performance between 2012-2014 (P = 0.0001). Age, being female, living in Andes Mountains, having middle and highest FGCRS, higher alcohol consumption, being obese, lack of exercise and cognitive impairment increase the probability of disability (P < 0.05). Alternatively, living in more developed regions and having a higher educational level reduced the probability of disability during the follow-up time (P < 0.05). Higher cardiovascular risk burden is associated with decreased physical performance, especially in gait. Results suggest SPPB may provide a measure of cardiovascular health in older adults.

PS-C34-3: EXPERIENCES AND INFLUENCES OF ONLINE HEALTH INFORMATION-SEEKING ABOUT STATIN USE IN PATIENTS WITH HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: A QUALITATIVE STUDY.

Objectives: Online health information (OHI) about statin use has created debates among healthcare professionals and the public. As a result, online misinformation about statins has led to an increase in the discontinuation of statins. OHI has been shown to influence patients’ health decisions and behaviours. This study explores the views and experiences of OHI-seeking about statins in patients with high cardiovascular risk and how OHI influences patient decision-making and statin adherence. Designs and method: This is a qualitative study with semi-structured in-depth interviews of 20 patients with high cardiovascular risk from a primary care clinic in Malaysia. We included participants who were at least 18 years old and had high cardiovascular risk where statin use is indicated as per guideline (i.e. with pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, a 10-year risk for CVD &gt; 20% based on the Framingham General CVD risk score) and have sought OHI about statins. We used an interpretive description approach with thematic analysis. Results: The age of the participants ranged from 39–74 years, with 16 (80%) participants having hypertension. 12 (60%) participants took a statin for primary CVD prevention. The duration of statin use ranged from 2 weeks to 30 years. Six themes emerged from the interviews (Figure 1): (1) Participants sought different types of OHI throughout the disease trajectory depending on their information needs, (2) There is a changing paradigm of OHI-seeking behaviour, where passive exposure to OHI appears to have increased relative to active searching, (3) Participants sought a wide range of OHI from hypercholesterolemia, lifestyle modification and complementary alternative medicine, (4) Statin-related OHI was mainly negative and stressed the side effects of statins, (5) OHI triggered emotional reactions that may affect patients’ decision on statin adherence, (6) Doctors’ responses to participants’ OHI-seeking behaviour affected patient-doctor communication and patients’ decision in taking statins. Conclusions: This study highlights the changing information needs throughout patient journeys, suggesting the opportunity to provide needs-oriented OHI to patients with high cardiovascular risk. Passive OHI exposure appears to have an influence on patients’ adherence to statins. The quality of patient-doctor communication about OHI-seeking behaviour remains a critical factor in patient decision making. Doctors should discuss patients’ information needs and OHI-seeking behaviour throughout the disease trajectory and provide evidence-based health information to patients. Strategies are needed to address patients’ concerns about statins, acknowledge their emotional reactions toward OHI and support their need for evidence-based OHI.

Undertreatment and Underachievement of LDL-C Target among Individuals with High and Very High Cardiovascular Risk in the Malaysian Community.

Dyslipidaemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence of dyslipidaemia subtypes, the proportions of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) use, and the achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) treatment targets for high-risk (HR) and very high-risk (VHR) Malaysians. This cross-sectional study involves 5279 participants across 11 states in Malaysia. The data were obtained through a standardised questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, venous glucose and lipid profile. The participants with existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes with at least one of the other major risk factors (smoking, hypertension or dyslipidaemia) were grouped into the VHR category. Other participants were risk-categorised using the Framingham General CVD Risk Score (FRS-CVD). The prevalence of elevated LDL-C, LLT use and LDL-C target were set according to respective risk categories. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to test the difference in the proportions. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 41.1 ± 14.8 years, and 62.2% (3283/5279) of the group were females. Within the participant group, 51.5% were found to have elevated total cholesterol, 28.8% had low HDL-C, and 33.8% had high triglyceride. As for elevated LDL-C, 9.8% were in VHR, 8.6% in HR, 5.8% in MR and 34.9% in LR categories. Among the VHR group, 75.8% were not on LLT, and only 15.9% achieved the LDL-C target. As for the HR category, 87.7% were not on LLT, and only 16.1% achieved the LDL-C target. Dyslipidaemia is highly prevalent among Malaysians. The majority of VHR and HR participants were not on LLT and did not achieve LDL-C treatment targets. Proactive programs are warranted to combat dyslipidaemia-associated CVD events in these groups.

Healthy Eating Index-2015 and Predicted 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk, as Well as Heart Age.

Background and AimsDietary factor plays an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The healthy eating index-2015 (HEI-2015), an indicator of the overall dietary quality, has been introduced to reflect adherence to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). This study aims to explore the associations of the HEI-2015 with predicted 10-year CVD risk and heart age among United States adults aged 30–74 years old using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014.Methods and ResultsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 6,614 participants aged 30–74 years old. The HEI-2015 scores were calculated from 2-days 24-h dietary recall interviews. The 10-year CVD risk and heart age were derived from the sex-specific Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk score. We defined high cardiovascular disease risk as a predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease risk of > 20%. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations of the HEI-2015 with predicted 10-year CVD risk and heart age. Compared with participants in the lowest HEI-2015 quartile, those in the highest quartile had lower predicted 10-year CVD risk (β = −2.37, 95% CI: −3.09 to –1.65, P < 0.0001), lower heart age (β = −2.63, 95% CI: −3.29 to –1.96, P < 0.0001) and lower odds for high risk of CVD (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.80, P-trend < 0.0001) after adjusting for multiple covariates.ConclusionHigher adherence to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is associated with lower predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease risk and lower heart age among United States adults.

Comparison of Three Cardiovascular Risk Scores among HIV-Infected Patients in Korea: The Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study.

BackgroundWe investigated cardiovascular disease (CVD), risk factors for CVD, and applicability of the three known CVD risk equations in the Korean human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cohort.Materials and MethodsThe study parcitipants were HIV-infected patients in a Korean HIV/AIDS cohort enrolled from 19 hospitals between 2006 and 2017. Data collected at entry to the cohort were analyzed. The 5-year CVD risk in each participant was calculated using three CVD risk equations: reduced CVD prediction model of HIV-specific data collection on adverse effects of anti-HIV drugs (R-DAD), Framingham general CVD risk score (FRS), and Korean Coronary Heart Disease Risk Score (KRS).ResultsCVD events were observed in 11 of 586 HIV-infected patients during a 5-year (median) follow-up period. The incidence of CVD was 4.11 per 1,000 person-years. Older age (64 vs. 41 years, P = 0.005) and diabetes mellitus (45.5% vs. 6.4%, P <0.001) were more frequent in patients with CVD. Using R-DAD, FRS, and KRS, 1.9%, 2.4%, and 0.7% of patients, respectively, were considered to have a very high risk (≥10%) of 5-year CVD. The discriminatory capacities of the three prediction models were good, with c-statistic values of 0.829 (P <0.001) for R-DAD, 0.824 (P <0.001) for FRS, and 0.850 (P = 0.001) for KRS.ConclusionThe FRS, R-DAD, and KRS performed well in the Korean HIV/AIDS cohort. A larger cohort and a longer period of follow-up may be necessary to demonstrate the risk factors and develop an independent CVD risk prediction model specific to Korean patients with HIV.

Reduced 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease after participating in a lifestyle programme in primary care

Background: Despite well-known preventive effects for future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through lifestyle changes, scientific evaluations of lifestyle programmes in primary care are scarce. Moreover, structured lifestyle counselling is still not integrated in everyday clinical practice. We aimed to evaluate change in cardiovascular risk factors and Framingham 10-year risk score of developing CVD in men and women at high cardiovascular risk after participation in a structured lifestyle programme over 1 year. A single-group study was carried out with a 1-year follow-up including before and after measurements.Methods: The lifestyle programme comprised five appointments to a district nurse over 1 year, focussing on lifestyle habits based on motivational interviewing. Fasting blood samples and anthropometric measurements were obtained at baseline and 1-year follow-up. The 10-year risk of CVD was calculated according to Framingham general CVD risk score.Results: A total of 404 patients were included in the study. There was a positive change over 1 year in the total study population for all risk factors evaluated. This included improvements in weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, and fasting glucose. The 10-year risk of developing CVD decreased for the total population from 24.8% to 21.4% at 1 year, equivalent to a 14% decrease.Conclusions: A structured lifestyle programme in primary care contributes to significant improvements of cardiovascular risk factors and the reduction of 10-year risk for CVD for both men and women at high cardiovascular risk.

Relationship Between Cardiovascular Disease Risk with Depression and Retirement in the Turkish Population

Objective: The present study identifies the factors that can be linked to coronary artery disease, and evaluates the effect of retirement on the development of cardiovascular diseases in the Turkish population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried in the Family Health Centers between March and July 2019. The data was collected using the Beck Depression Inventory and Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk assessment tool, sociodemographic form. Results: The mean Framingham risk score of the respondents was 6.440±7.509. A statistically significant relationship was identified between the Framingham risk score and income perception, monthly net income, occupation, educational status, marital status and employment (p&amp;lt;0.05). When the factors related to the Framingham risk score were evaluated, retirement was found to increase the Framingham risk score 13.991 fold (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: It is worthy of note that the risk of cardiovascular disease is high in the Turkish population. Retirement was found to be the most influential variable on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It is important to organize health training programs on the prevention of heart disease and to develop appropriate health policies.

Exploring the relationship between motor impairment, vascular burden and cognition in Parkinson's disease.

To determine frequency and type of cognitive disorders in cross-sectional analysis of a Parkinson's disease (PD) cohort, and explore its relations to motor symptoms, modifiable vascular risk factors and white matter lesions (WML) volume. In a group of 133 PD patients, mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and dementia (PDD) were diagnosed according to Movement Disorders Society Task Force criteria (level 2 for PD-MCI). Detailed motor measurements were applied, including rigidity, axial, bradykinesia, tremor and postural instability gait disorders (PIGD) scores. Vascular risk was estimated by the Framingham General Cardiovascular Disease risk scoring algorithm and WML volume was measured for whole brain and frontal lobe. Sixty-one (46.9%) patients fulfilled criteria for PD-MCI, and 23 (17.7%) for PDD. Non-amnestic multiple domain MCI was most frequent (52% of PD-MCI patients). Motor scores were significantly higher in cognitively impaired patients, but only axial score discriminated between MCI and dementia. High vascular risk was related to impaired cognition, bradykinesia, axial, PIGD and freezing of gait (FOG) score, while whole brain WML volume was associated with PDD, FOG and attention deficits. Furthermore, high vascular risk was identified as a potential predictor of both MCI and dementia in PD. Additionally, age and bradykinesia score were independently associated with PD-MCI and age, axial score and whole brain WML volume with PDD. Cognitive disorders in PD are associated with more severe, predominantly axial motor deficits and increased, but partly modifiable vascular burden, thus opening a possibility for development of preventive strategies in PD.

Abstract P028: High Framingham General Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores in Victims of Out of Hospital Sudden Death

Introduction: Individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have a high risk of out-of-hospital sudden unexpected death (OHSUD). However, most OHSUDs occur in victims without a prior history of CVD. Information on CVD risk in these victims is scarce. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that OHSUD victims who had no prior diagnosis of CVD have higher 10-year CVD risk compared to a matched living control population. Methods: OHSUD cases were adjudicated from all emergency medical service attended out-of-hospital deaths aged 30-64 in Wake County, NC between 2013-2015. Age group and gender-matched controls were randomly selected from Wake County residents who visited a local healthcare facility over the same period (~3:1 match ratio). We obtained two years of medical records prior to death (cases) or last visit (controls). After excluding individuals with a history of CVD, we calculated the 10-year risk of CVD for each subject using the published general CVD algorithms by D'Agostino et al. Risk was classified into low (&lt;6%), moderate (6%-20%), and high (&gt;20%). Results: Among subjects without CVD, we included 106 cases and 414 controls who had sufficient data for calculating Framingham risk score. Gender distribution was similar in both case and control groups. The average 10-year risk of CVD was higher for OHSUDs than controls (29% vs. 16%, p=&lt;0.0001). Similar results were found in both men (34% vs. 19%, p=&lt;0.0001) and women (11% vs. 7.3%, p=0.0005). A larger proportion of OHSUDs were considered “high risk” compared to controls (57% (60 of 106) vs. 28% (114 of 414), p=&lt;0.001). This finding remained significant when stratified by gender (Figure). Conclusion: The majority of out of hospital sudden death victims without known CVD are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. This finding bolsters the essential role of office-based risk assessment tools in identifying high risk patients antemortem. Targeted interventions for intensive CVD risk reduction may lead to a decrease in sudden deaths.

Abstract P264: Excess Heart Age in HIV Outpatient Study Participants

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected adults. Calculating an individual’s excess heart age, or the difference between their chronological age and predicted heart age, can be useful in describing their risk for developing CVD and motivating behavior change to decrease their CVD risk. The overall mean excess heart age is 7.8 and 5.4 years among U.S. men and women, respectively. We evaluated excess heart age among HIV-infected adults in medical care using sex-specific, cholesterol-based models developed from Framingham general CVD risk prediction equations. Included were HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS) participants aged 30-74 y, who had ≥2 HOPS clinic visits during 2010-2014, had no prior CVD at the start of observation, had &gt;1 y of follow-up, and had non-missing data for all covariates. Age-standardized (2010 U.S. census) and weighted means, prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for participant chronological age, predicted heart age, and excess heart age. From 5,088 HOPS participants assessed for eligibility, 1905 men and 584 women were included in the analysis. Heart age exceeded chronological age by 11.3 and 11.9 y among men and women, respectively (Table). Excess heart age was greatest among non-Hispanic Blacks, persons aged 50-59 y, those with less than high school education, and women with a median CD4+ count ≥500 cells/μL. Predicted heart age was higher than chronological age among HIV-infected men and women and surpassed excess heart age estimates observed in the general U.S. population. Greater excess heart age among HIV-infected adults might result from demographic differences, higher frequency of CVD risk factors including smoking, diabetes, HIV-associated excess chronic inflammation, and possibly lower use rates of antihypertensive or statin drugs. Routine clinical use of heart age calculation may help optimize CVD risk communication and interventions for aging HIV-infected persons.

Survival Regression Modeling Strategies in CVD Prediction.

BackgroundA fundamental part of prevention is prediction. Potential predictors are the sine qua non of prediction models. However, whether incorporating novel predictors to prediction models could be directly translated to added predictive value remains an area of dispute. The difference between the predictive power of a predictive model with (enhanced model) and without (baseline model) a certain predictor is generally regarded as an indicator of the predictive value added by that predictor. Indices such as discrimination and calibration have long been used in this regard. Recently, the use of added predictive value has been suggested while comparing the predictive performances of the predictive models with and without novel biomarkers.ObjectivesUser-friendly statistical software capable of implementing novel statistical procedures is conspicuously lacking. This shortcoming has restricted implementation of such novel model assessment methods. We aimed to construct Stata commands to help researchers obtain the aforementioned statistical indices.Materials and MethodsWe have written Stata commands that are intended to help researchers obtain the following. 1, Nam-D’Agostino X2 goodness of fit test; 2, Cut point-free and cut point-based net reclassification improvement index (NRI), relative absolute integrated discriminatory improvement index (IDI), and survival-based regression analyses. We applied the commands to real data on women participating in the Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS) to examine if information relating to a family history of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD), waist circumference, and fasting plasma glucose can improve predictive performance of Framingham’s general CVD risk algorithm.ResultsThe command is adpredsurv for survival models.ConclusionsHerein we have described the Stata package “adpredsurv” for calculation of the Nam-D’Agostino X2 goodness of fit test as well as cut point-free and cut point-based NRI, relative and absolute IDI, and survival-based regression analyses. We hope this work encourages the use of novel methods in examining predictive capacity of the emerging plethora of novel biomarkers.

Use of Chronic Kidney Disease to Enhance Prediction of Cardiovascular Risk in Those at Medium Risk.

Based on global cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment for example using the Framingham risk score, it is recommended that those with high risk should be treated and those with low risk should not be treated. The recommendation for those of medium risk is less clear and uncertain. We aimed to determine whether factoring in chronic kidney disease (CKD) will improve CV risk prediction in those with medium risk. This is a 10-year retrospective cohort study of 905 subjects in a primary care clinic setting. Baseline CV risk profile and serum creatinine in 1998 were captured from patients record. Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk score (FRS) for each patient was computed. All cardiovascular disease (CVD) events from 1998–2007 were captured. Overall, patients with CKD had higher FRS risk score (25.9% vs 20%, p = 0.001) and more CVD events (22.3% vs 11.9%, p = 0.002) over a 10-year period compared to patients without CKD. In patients with medium CV risk, there was no significant difference in the FRS score among those with and without CKD (14.4% vs 14.6%, p = 0.84) However, in this same medium risk group, patients with CKD had more CV events compared to those without CKD (26.7% vs 6.6%, p = 0.005). This is in contrast to patients in the low and high risk group where there was no difference in CVD events whether these patients had or did not have CKD. There were more CV events in the Framingham medium risk group when they also had CKD compared those in the same risk group without CKD. Hence factoring in CKD for those with medium risk helps to further stratify and identify those who are actually at greater risk, when treatment may be more likely to be indicated.

Blood pressure targets and absolute cardiovascular risk.

In the Eighth Joint National Committee guideline on hypertension, the threshold for the initiation of blood pressure-lowering treatment for elderly adults (≥60 years) without chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus was raised from 140/90 mm Hg to 150/90 mm Hg. However, the committee was not unanimous in this decision, particularly because a large proportion of adults ≥60 years may be at high cardiovascular risk. On the basis of Eighth Joint National Committee guideline, we sought to determine the absolute 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease among these adults through analyzing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2012). The primary outcome measure was the proportion of adults who were at ≥20% predicted absolute cardiovascular risk and above goals for the Seventh Joint National Committee guideline but reclassified as at target under the Eighth Joint National Committee guideline (reclassified). The Framingham General Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score was used. From 2005 to 2012, the surveys included 12 963 adults aged 30 to 74 years with blood pressure measurements, of which 914 were reclassified based on the guideline. Among individuals reclassified as not in need of additional treatment, the proportion of adults 60 to 74 years without chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus at ≥20% absolute risk was 44.8%. This corresponds to 0.8 million adults. The proportion at high cardiovascular risk remained sizable among adults who were not receiving blood pressure-lowering treatment. Taken together, a sizable proportion of reclassified adults 60 to 74 years without chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus was at ≥20% absolute cardiovascular risk.

Validation of the Framingham general cardiovascular risk score in a multiethnic Asian population: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the validity of the Framingham general cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk chart in a primary care setting.DesignThis is a 10-year retrospective cohort study.SettingA primary care clinic...

The Framingham cardiovascular risk score in multiple sclerosis.

Cardiovascular risk factors can increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) and modify its course. However, such factors possibly interact, determining a global cardiovascular risk. Our aim was to compare the global cardiovascular risk of subjects with and without MS with the simplified 10-year Framingham General Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score (FR) and to evaluate its importance on MS-related outcomes. Age, gender, smoking status, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, type II diabetes and use of antihypertensive medications were recorded in subjects with and without MS to estimate the FR, an individualized percentage risk score estimating the 10-year likelihood of cardiovascular events. In total, 265 MS subjects were identified with 530 matched controls. A t test showed similar FR in cases and controls (P=0.212). Secondary progressive MS presented significantly higher FR compared to relapsing-remitting MS (P<0.001). Linear regression analysis showed a direct relationship between FR and Expanded Disability Status Scale (P<0.001) and MS Severity Scale (P<0.001). The FR, evaluating the global cardiovascular health by the interaction amongst different risk factors, relates to MS disability, severity and course.

Framingham ten-year general cardiovascular disease risk: agreement between BMI-based and cholesterol-based estimates in a South Asian convenience sample.

The goal of this analysis was to determine the agreement between body mass index-based and cholesterol-based ten-year Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk scores among a convenience sample of 773 South Asian Canadian adults attending community-based screening clinics. Scores were calculated using age, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive use, current smoking, diabetes, and total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (for cholesterol-based risk) or height and weight (for body mass index-based risk). Mean risk score differences (body mass index-based risk minus cholesterol-based risk) were estimated using paired t-tests. Bland-Altman plots were used to assess agreement between scores. Finally, agreement across risk categories (low [<10%], moderate [10% to <20%], high [> = 20%]) was examined using the kappa statistic. Average agreement between the two risk scores was quite good overall (mean differences of 0.6% for men and 0.5% for women), but increased to about 3% among participants 60–74 years of age. However, Bland-Altman plots revealed that the differences between the two scores and the variability of the differences increased with increasing average 10-year risk. In terms of clinical importance, the limits of agreement were reasonable for women < 60 years (95% confidence interval: -3.2% to 3.1%), but of concern for women 60-74 years (95% confidence interval: -6.0% to 12.3%), men < 60 years (95% confidence interval: -7.1% to 7.3%) and men 6-074 years (95% confidence interval: -13.8% to 18.8%). Agreement across categories was moderate for most sex and age groups examined (kappa values: 0.51 for women < 60 years, 0.50 for women 60-74 years, 0.65 for men < 60 years), except for men 60-74 years, where agreement was only fair (kappa = 0.26). In light of these disagreements, evaluation of a participant’s change in cardiovascular disease risk over time will necessitate use of the same risk score (i.e., either body mass index-based or cholesterol-based) at all screening sessions.

Utility of Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk score for predicting 10-year cardiovascular risk in an inner Mongolian population: A prospective cohort study

Utility of Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk score for predicting 10-year cardiovascular risk in an inner Mongolian population: A prospective cohort study

Trajectories of the Framingham general cardiovascular risk profile in midlife and poor motor function later in life: The Whitehall II study

BackgroundVascular risk factors are associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, but their association with motor function, another key feature of aging, has received little research attention. We examined the association between trajectories of the Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk score (FRS) over midlife and motor function later in life. MethodsA total of 5376 participants of the Whitehall II cohort study (29% women) who had up to four repeat measures of FRS between 1991–1993 (mean age=48.6years) and 2007–2009 (mean age=65.4years) and without history of stroke or coronary heart disease in 2007–2009 were included. Motor function was assessed in 2007–2009 through objective tests (walking speed, chair rises, balance, finger tapping, grip strength). We used age- and sex-adjusted linear mixed models. ResultsParticipants with poorer performances for walking speed, chair rises, and balance in 2007–2009 had higher FRS concurrently and also in 1991–1993, on average 16years earlier. These associations were robust to adjustment for cognition, socio-economic status, height, and BMI, and not explained by incident mobility limitation prior to motor assessment. No association was found with finger tapping and grip strength. ConclusionsCardiovascular risk early in midlife is associated with poor motor performances later in life. Vascular risk factors play an important and under-recognized role in motor function, independently of their impact on cognition, and suggest that better control of vascular risk factors in midlife may prevent physical impairment and disability in the elderly.

The Impact of Non-Cardiac Surgery on Electrocardiograph Changes, Troponin Levels in patients with Intermediate and High Risk According to Framingham General Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score

The Impact of Non-Cardiac Surgery on Electrocardiograph Changes, Troponin Levels in patients with Intermediate and High Risk According to Framingham General Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score